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The day was observed as a public holiday, and I received a cordial and enthusiastic welcome, a large number of the Defence Forces and cadets taking part in the function. In spite of the wet weather the streets were lined with thousands of people whose enthusiasm displayed in a marked degree their patriotic regard for the Representative of His Most Gracious Majesty the King. Three loyal addresses were presented, and the reception shown me was most gratifying. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 6. (No. 54.) Str, — Government House, Wellington, 4th July, 1904. I have the honour to inform you that on the 25th June, 1904, I called to the Legislative Council the Hon. Sir George Maurice O'Rorke, Kt., of Auckland, who for very many years was Speaker of the House of Representatives, also a member of the Senate of the New Zealand University, and an ex-Minister of the Crown. Before this appointment was made there were three Councillors in this House less than there had been previously. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 7. (No. 56.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 13th July, 1904. I have the honour to inform you that I opened the second session of the fifteenth Parliament of New Zealand on the 28th June, 1904, and to enclose copies of the Speech that I made on that occasion. 2. I have also the honour to forward herewith copies of the Address in Reply presented to me by the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives on the Ist July, 1904, as well as copies of the Address in Reply from the Speaker and members of the Legislative Council presented to me this day. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 8. (No. 58.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 20th July, 1904. I have the honour to state that I duly submitted your despatch circular of the 4th May to my Ministers, on the subject of preferential-trade relations between the colonies and the United Kingdom, to my Government. 2. The only allusions in the New Zealand Parliament to this question prior to the introduction of " The Preferential and Reciprocal Trade Act, 1903," appear in the Speech of my predecessor at the opening of the New Zealand Parliament on the 24th June, 1898, and in the Address in Reply to the same. Extracts on this subject from the Speech and Reply are herewith enclosed. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1905, No. 4.